Bah, optical out still isn't quite there for the system. I switched to bitstream Dolby surround this morning since my Astro headset doesn't do DTS and it sounded phenomenal. Very noticeable improvement.

Later in the day I booted up the XB1 again, nothing altered, and now I get a crackling popping sound any time the XB1 plays audio. Online search shows I'm not the only one (but it's bizarre that it worked just fine earlier today).

Switching back to stereo out eliminates the crackling, but now that I've had a taste of better sound it's annoying to have to go back.

The NPD numbers for February are out, and it spells good news for XB1. XB1 sold 90% of PS4's numbers (258,000 to an estimated 286,000). Due to the XB1's higher prices, it actually outsold the PS4 in terms of dollars. Attach rate was also quite high at 2.75. Note that this is before the "Titanfall" effect, so hopefully March will look good as well.

Theories behind this are early sales in anticipation of Titanfall, or consumers getting fed up with the scarcity of the PS4 and going Xbone. Whatever the case, though, it seems the rumors of the XB1's demise have been greatly exaggerated, which is great news for gamers.

MajorNelson tweeted today that if you hear cracklin to update your controller. There were 2 updates 1 from system update and the other from the chat adapter.

How does one update their controller?

You need a USB to micro adapter. Plug the controller into the XBox (USB port is on the back, unless I just didn't see one on the front and it's there). Go to Settings and the go to System. Choose Update Controller in the bottom left controller. Kind of ridiculous that they do controller firmware upgrades but don't have a great way to notify people. I had heard it was coming and then forgot about it. I think some podcast reminded me I could update it.

Kind of ridiculous that they do controller firmware upgrades but don't have a great way to notify people.

I got prompted by my XB1 for at least the second update. I think the USB cable has to be attached for it to realize the controller is out of date. (but yeah, it's still ridiculous they can't detect your firmware version wirelessly)

Kind of ridiculous that they do controller firmware upgrades but don't have a great way to notify people.

I got prompted by my XB1 for at least the second update. I think the USB cable has to be attached for it to realize the controller is out of date. (but yeah, it's still ridiculous they can't detect your firmware version wirelessly)

Yeah, I mean we are very in tune with the industry and news, but imagine people who wouldn't ever know this was a thing.

The Wii U actually did "180%" better than last year. Which I am guestimating means it sold somewhere around 150k-180k. I guess people really wanted a new Donkey Kong country game...?

I really don't have any dog in any console war since I am sitting comfortably on the sidelines, but I think any comparison between XB1 and PS4 monthly sales is meaningless until the PS4 is as readily available as the XB1. I haven't seen a PS4 anywhere in weeks.

Saw two where I work. As well as XB1, both the original and titanfall bundle. Though I thought it was odd that the titanfall one didn't have the changed, in appearance, console.

There's no Titanfall branded console for sale, and even the Titanfall controller that exists is not a part of the Titanfall bundle. It's the exact same XB1 in a box except that Intern Josef slipped a download code card in.

Saw two where I work. As well as XB1, both the original and titanfall bundle. Though I thought it was odd that the titanfall one didn't have the changed, in appearance, console.

There's no Titanfall branded console for sale, and even the Titanfall controller that exists is not a part of the Titanfall bundle. It's the exact same XB1 in a box except that Intern Josef slipped a download code card in.

well, that's a big ole box of disappointing. laziest bundle ever. the use of the code instead of a retail copy is even worse imo, although it would make flipping it easier.

Saw two where I work. As well as XB1, both the original and titanfall bundle. Though I thought it was odd that the titanfall one didn't have the changed, in appearance, console.

There's no Titanfall branded console for sale, and even the Titanfall controller that exists is not a part of the Titanfall bundle. It's the exact same XB1 in a box except that Intern Josef slipped a download code card in.

well, that's a big ole box of disappointing. laziest bundle ever. the use of the code instead of a retail copy is even worse imo, although it would make flipping it easier.

Well based on the leak at GAF before the bundle ever showed up it was going to be a custom console, and concept art was leaked, that ended up looking exactly like the box Respawn received. We'll never know why they abandoned it but speculation is that they already had too many regular Xbox Ones in the channel and the big box stores were reluctant to take more shipments. The bundle I believe just has a digital card inserted and puts a cardboard slip cover around a standard XB1 box. (yup just watched an uboxing of the bundle, that's exactly what it is.)

I really don't have any dog in any console war since I am sitting comfortably on the sidelines, but I think any comparison between XB1 and PS4 monthly sales is meaningless until the PS4 is as readily available as the XB1. I haven't seen a PS4 anywhere in weeks.

I don't think it's meaningless for the simple reason that the PS4 outsold the XB1 2:1 in January, yet one would presume it was just as scarce then (if not scarcer).

I really don't have any dog in any console war since I am sitting comfortably on the sidelines, but I think any comparison between XB1 and PS4 monthly sales is meaningless until the PS4 is as readily available as the XB1. I haven't seen a PS4 anywhere in weeks.

I don't think it's meaningless for the simple reason that the PS4 outsold the XB1 2:1 in January, yet one would presume it was just as scarce then (if not scarcer).

(Shrugs) I can't possibly comment on whether or not the ps4 was more or less supply constrained in the US in February vs January. What I do know is that the xbox one was not supply constrained in February and the ps4 was. I am not in any way implying that the xbox one is doing poorly, but comparing sales of it to the ps4 is silly when ps4s are hard to find and xbox ones are not.

I don't know why it should make a difference, but I got a Titanfall bundle this week and the box is not a slipcover. It's a fully custom-printed box for the bundle. Everything inside the box is standard except for the Titanfall download card though.

I don't know why it should make a difference, but I got a Titanfall bundle this week and the box is not a slipcover. It's a fully custom-printed box for the bundle. Everything inside the box is standard except for the Titanfall download card though.

Yes I saw one of these at best buy this week. I thought it looked pretty sharp, and that's coming from someone with no interest in titanfall.

I don't know why it should make a difference, but I got a Titanfall bundle this week and the box is not a slipcover. It's a fully custom-printed box for the bundle. Everything inside the box is standard except for the Titanfall download card though.

Saw two where I work. As well as XB1, both the original and titanfall bundle. Though I thought it was odd that the titanfall one didn't have the changed, in appearance, console.

There's no Titanfall branded console for sale, and even the Titanfall controller that exists is not a part of the Titanfall bundle. It's the exact same XB1 in a box except that Intern Josef slipped a download code card in.

My mistake on that one. Had assumed they were going all in on their Titanfall push which includes their favorite thing to do which is a redesigned console.

I really don't have any dog in any console war since I am sitting comfortably on the sidelines, but I think any comparison between XB1 and PS4 monthly sales is meaningless until the PS4 is as readily available as the XB1. I haven't seen a PS4 anywhere in weeks.

I don't think it's meaningless for the simple reason that the PS4 outsold the XB1 2:1 in January, yet one would presume it was just as scarce then (if not scarcer).

(Shrugs) I can't possibly comment on whether or not the ps4 was more or less supply constrained in the US in February vs January. What I do know is that the xbox one was not supply constrained in February and the ps4 was. I am not in any way implying that the xbox one is doing poorly, but comparing sales of it to the ps4 is silly when ps4s are hard to find and xbox ones are not.

Exactly, there are tons of Xbox Ones around. I see them whenever I am out. Heck, everytime I walk into Best Buy there are multiple signs that say they are available. As for the PS4, well good luck finding one. Your best bet seems to be on Amazon. I did see a PS4 yesterday at Wal-Mart, but that is only the second time I have seen one since launch.

All I'm saying is that if one variable stays the same (PS4 is hard to find) and one variable changes (XB1 sales increase), then it's fair to say that XB1 sales increased. At any rate, the PS4 isn't hard to find in my area because I bought one at Target 15 minutes ago

Don't forget to update it and set your "Real Name" preferences before you go online. Oh, and make sure you redeem your free month of PSN so you can get Dead Nation, Bioshock Infinite and Borderlands 2 on your PS3!

(Tomb Raider is also available, but you should either play your PC version or continue waiting for the Definitive Edition to drop in price.)

Does anyone know if Resogun and Contrast are still free for PS4 purchasers? If so, make sure you get those, too!

All I'm saying is that if one variable stays the same (PS4 is hard to find) and one variable changes (XB1 sales increase), then it's fair to say that XB1 sales increased. At any rate, the PS4 isn't hard to find in my area because I bought one at Target 15 minutes ago

You don't know that the PS4 stayed the same. It might have been less supply constrained in January. The thing is, we just don't know. Anyway, congrats on joining the "I Have Them Both Club." It's really the best way to go and keeps the fanboyism to a minimum.